Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Stand-Up South South Security Group has called on Federal Government and patriotic Nigerians to resist the perceived plots by external forces to pull down Dangote Refinery, located in Lagos State, Nigeria.

In a statement on Wednesday by its National Secretary, Comrade Endurance Ukutegbere, the group said: ‘ As a Country and Nigerians, we should be very proud that Dangote Refinery is the WORLD’s largest single train Petroleum Refinery’

It stated: ‘This is why the Federal Government, our fellow country men in NUPENG and PENGASSAN must put into consideration the broader benefits of the Dangote Refinery to the country and Nigerians.

‘Nigeria got Independence from the British government 65 years ago, but unfortunately, Nigerians are still slaves to petroleum products importers and crude oil exporters. This country, Nigeria needs liberty and absolute independence from the slaves masters’

According to the group: ‘ These petroleum products importers and crude oil exporters will do everything possible to pull down the Dangote Refinery, and Nigerians, including the leadership of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria PENGASSAN, and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG must avoid the temptation of becoming an instruments to achieve this anti-Nigeria agenda’

‘This is very important, the leadership of PENGASSAN should also understand that workers of Dangote Refinery still enjoys the constitutional rights to join the union or not, in tandem to ‘ Freedom of Association. More so, Dangote Refinery workers are expected to comply with the terms and conditions of their employments.’

The statement continued: ‘ In this country, we all are aware that Lecturers of private Universities are not member of ASUU, and they have not been compelled to become members of ASUU. So, it is imperative to advise PENGASSAN to accept and respect the decision of Dangote Refinery that it’s workers will not join or become members of PENGASSAN.

‘Ironically, Nigerians appears to have lost confidence on when the moribund Refineries belonging to the Federal Government will ever come up and start production. A bird at hand, is worth more than millions of birds in the bush. Therefore, as a nation, we must ensure it’s survival and protect the Dangote Refinery.’

The group thanked the National Security Adviser and leadership of other security agencies for their intervention in resolving the industrial dispute between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN.

‘Regrettably, it is becoming obvious that those behind the deliberate killing of Nigeria Refineries are plotting to pull down Dangote Refinery for whatever reason. The suffering masses were already battling with impact of inflation, high cost of living. Any move to frustrate Dangote Refinery will mean to further punish Nigerians.

‘With over 3,000 Nigerians employed and actively working at the Dangote Refinery, the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerian of good conscience must prevent the pulling down of Dangote Refinery.

‘Nigeria lost a golden opportunity in 2007, when Dangote-led consortium was denied the acquisition of PH and Kaduna Refineries at $750 million. If Dangote was allowed to acquire and run the PH and Kaduna Refineries since 2007 till date, Nigeria would have achieved energy independence nearly two decades ago’

The statement concluded,: ‘ Now that Alhaji Aliko Dangote has built his private Dangote Refinery from the scratch to completion, PENGASSAN and NUPENG must take their fight to the Federal Government to revive the moribund Warri, PH and Kaduna Refineries.’

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a directive banning its members nationwide from taking continuous calls beyond 24 hours, warning that the practice has become a ‘silent killer’ of young doctors.

In a statement on Wednesday and jointly signed by Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, Secretary-General and Dr. Abdulmajeed Yahya Ibrahim, Publicity and Social Secretary, the directive was contained in a communiqué released at the end of the Annual General Meeting (AGM), with the policy taking effect from October 1, 2025.

The directive also mandates a mandatory call-free period after every call.

The association described the decision as ‘not just necessary but vital, in line with the principles of self-preservation enshrined in the Hippocratic Oath.’

NARD said its decision was not oblivious of the grim statistics, pointing to Nigeria’s worsening doctor-to-patient ratio.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends one doctor to 600 patients. But in Nigeria, with a population of over 240 million and only about 11,000 resident doctors, the ratio stands at 1:9,083,’ it said noting that resident doctors in Nigeria work an average of 106.5 hours per week, while surgical residents put in as much as 122.7 hours weekly.

‘This translates to an average of four to five days of 24-hour call duty per week. It inevitably leads to increased medical errors due to burnout, endangers patient safety, and takes a severe toll on the mental, physical, and psychological well-being of doctors,’ the association noted.

The doctors lamented that many colleagues have died under these harsh conditions, leaving behind dependants without support, stressing, ‘While the nation celebrates, we quietly bury our colleagues as the country watches in silence. The bigger question is: how many more lives must we lose before decisive action is taken?’

NARD stressed that those who have chosen to remain in Nigeria despite the ongoing brain drain are ‘nothing short of patriots and heroes’ who deserve protection and equitable remuneration.

To address the crisis, the association called on the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health, to implement a one-to-one replacement policy to reduce the crushing workload on doctors.

It also urged the government to establish clear regulations that curb excessive call hours to safeguard the lives of both doctors and patients.

‘As Nigeria celebrates 65 years of nationhood, it is time to reflect not only on our progress but also on the sacrifices of resident doctors who keep the health system running under unbearable strain.

‘We cannot continue to lose our members to preventable and avoidable deaths – not now, and not in the future.’

Actress Liz DaSilva has shared a harrowing experience where she nearly had an accident during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan.

In a video posted on Instagram, DaSilva said she had almost forgotten to remove metal pins from her wig before entering the machine, which uses strong magnets that can pull metal objects, causing injury or affecting results.

Liz explained that she was initially scared about undergoing the scan and informed the medical staff about her fears.

She said after removing her earrings, bra, waist beads, and chain, she nearly proceeded with the scan without remembering the pins in her wig.

‘Yes. Some things have to be posted on social media. For people to know where to step on and where not to step on. I had an appointment this morning for 10.40am. And I also have another appointment for 2pm. I had my hair done. On getting to my appointment, it’s an MRI appointment. When I got in, I was scared. And I made it known to the person attending to me that I was scared.

‘I was almost ready to go in. But I remembered that there is pins in my hair. There is pins in my wig. So, I had to quickly remind her that my wig has pins. She said, oh, I was about to ask you,’ Liz said.

Overcome with emotion, Liz broke down in tears, expressing gratitude to God for saving her from a potentially fatal mistake.

She said in Yoruba, ‘Truly, God saved me, I can say it boldly, anywhere. What would have happened? If God had not protected me, who knows, maybe I would have died’.

As we celebrate the enthronement of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, aged 81, as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland and absorb his call for an Ibadan State, let us appreciate his personal journey through life from being poor to becoming a brilliant mathematics student to becoming senator and Oyo State governor in 2003. His dream as governor was to have 30 students a class; he himself had 26 students in his own class in school. He took his dream, as governor of Oyo State to Abuja.

Sadly he did not serve as governor long enough to carry out his plan and Oyo State is the worse for it, all these years later even today. The then Governor Ladoja had his tenure truncated and he was removed due to the then reigning political evil of the day which placed presidential whims and caprices over and above the will of the people. The public domain is unaware if there was any presidential regret for the removal, but Oba Ladoja is certainly having the last laugh due hopefully to his God-given longevity, the righteousness of his case, and the unjustified quantum of political evil dealt him just for being naturally kind-natured. We wish Kabiyesi Rashidi Ladoja a long, exponentially progressive and peaceful reign. Amen.

One thing government must take up is that we must teach that not everyone who wants to set up a stall or trade or even run a keke or an okada in every market can have that privilege or be accommodated in 2025. There is no longer space for everyone. Nowhere in the world can 50 tri-cycles (keke), 100 commercial motor-cycles (okada) and 500 traders be squeezed into existing spaces. They should be enumerated, given numbers and allocated spaces. Move the excess elsewhere, like in other areas. The encroachment of the unlimited traders with their baskets and wheelbarrows on the road lanes and keke lines strangles Ibadan at various points like the entire Mokola, Bodija, Agodi and Mapo areas making movement a nightmare in daylight and endangering even our children. Perhaps methods of numbering and allocation of spaces need to be revisited and updated to make better use of the amazing new roads in Ibadan to help speed up traffic and stop the unnecessary traffic jams. The inability of the authority to maintain two functioning lanes through the above markets, and the ease with which the police on duty ignore the need to open such roads daily makes things worse.

Happy 65th Birthday Nigeria. It is difficult to be happy when so many Fellow Nigerians have been senselessly killed by terrorists and herders, also terrorists actually, and other individuals and groups who use murder of innocent unarmed citizens and sometimes armed and uniformed service personnel for no just cause. At this time of celebration, we are reminded, if we have forgotten, by our government at the Africa Union, that we still have 10+million children out of school in a country which started free education 60 years ago.

Let us re-ask ourselves why a country like ours has over 10 million out of school children in spite of its God-given wealth. Let every thief in Nigeria, rich or poor, political or contractor or civil servant or ‘uniform’ or Bank and CBN beneficiary, accept responsibility for being the direct cause of those 10m+ out of school children. They must accept full responsibility for the consequence of their collective past and perhaps ongoing nefarious activities of depriving those 10m of schooling. Ten million is a big army of youth to grow to adulthood without education. This is a recipe for state destruction in 10 years or more.

Surely, we can all see the simplest, easiest and cheapest solution is to have a ‘MASSIVE 10 MILLION IN SCHOOL PROGRAMME WITH AFTERNOON CLASSES THE EXISTING CLASSROOMS RUNNING TWICE DAILY WITH EXTRA SETS OF TEACHERS OR EXTRA PAY FOR EXISTING TEACHERS’.

Citizens are disgusted that the accused Ondo Church terrorists’ lawyers put forward a plea for bail. Do our lawyers not know that murder and any accusation which attracts the death penalty do not qualify for bail? Do they not get taught that in Law School? An appeal for bail in this horrendous circumstance appears like a strategy at time-wasting, a popular legal exercise in legal futility and a marked disrespect for the dead. It is also a rude slap in the face of the Fellow Nigerian citizens and relations who survived the deadly vicious attack which was calculated to mutate a simple Sunday church service into a terrorist funeral fire and a national tragedy.

Are we to suffer at the hands of yet another cabal in our long search for fuel self-sufficiency? We all get stopped abruptly and without any road safety concerns every day by union workers taking toll money from all passing commercial vehicles. One would have thought they would move to cashless payments but that would expose their true wealth. The face-off in the petroleum industry is really an eye opening event as it exposes the players for what they stand for and what they stand against. Please examine the case and ask who is really on the side the Fellow Nigerians as we celebrate Nigeria @ 65. The answer will make you think twice or thrice.

Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) is set to hold architecture, and building exposition from November 25 – 28, at NIA Architectural Village, Abuja.

The event will showcase cutting-edge technologies, sustainable design practice, and visionary projects transforming Nigeria’s landscape.

President, Mobolaji Adeniyi, .in a statement, said as Nigeria marks 65 years of Independence today, NIA is honouring the nation’s resilience, creativity, unity and contributions of our heroes, living and dead.

‘The theme, ‘Nigeria at 65: All Hands-on Deck for a Greater Nation’, is a call to compatriots and members to build a future reflecting our shared aspiration and architectural excellence.

‘In the spirit of Independence, NIA is re-echoing our contribution to nation building by presenting Archibuilt 2025, a forum for innovation.

‘Archibuilt is a showcase of products, and services as well as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, as it brings together architects, engineers, surveyors, policymakers, and others to find solutions for housing, infrastructure, climate resilience, and urban development.”

‘This year’s theme speaks to our national reality of building a nation on a good economic and socio-political foundation where professionals are in the forefront of its development.”

‘Also, it highlights the role architecture plays in fostering economic stability, growth and resilience by creating sustainable spaces and prioritising community needs.

‘Archibuilt 2025 will feature the building clinic, Nigerian content challenge, students’ innovative projects, artisans’ challenge and much more.

‘We invite Nigerian professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and citizens to participate in Archibuilt 2025. Whether as exhibitors, speakers, volunteers, or attendees, your voice and vision are vital to the conversation,’ it said.

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is one of the options on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) shopping list for presidential candidate in 2027, the party said yesterday.

It also said that it was too late for the allies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in and outside the PDP to stop its convention billed for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The party spoke yesterday through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, who doubles as the secretary of the Publicity Sub-Committee of PDP’s National Convention Organising Committee.

He told reporters in Abuja that the PDP extended the deadline for submission of nomination forms so that further consultations can be conducted for states to take final decisions on micro-zoning of positions.

Saying he is neither the spokesman for Prof Jerry Gana nor Dr. Jonathan, who Gana recently described as PDP’s likely choice for presidential candidate in 2027, Ologunagba said the party boasts of performing governors and other excellent personalities, who may be considered for the party’s ticket.

He said: ‘I don’t speak for Prof Gana or former President Jonathan but our party has many worthy personalities and we shall cross the bridge when we reach there.’

On reports that a faction backed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT Minister), Nyesom Wike, has successfully conducted a state congress and re-elected PDP’s former National Publicity Secretary, Venatius Ikem as its chairman, Ologunagba dismissed such perceptions as ‘mere hallucination’.

He said the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Umar Damagum, had postponed the state congress and decided that Southsouth Zonal Caretaker Committee, led by Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, will oversee affairs in the Cross River state chapter until a decision is taken to notify INEC and conduct proper state congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi states, where the exercises have been postponed.

Ologunagba said: ‘Emphatically, there was no PDP state congress in Cross River State; we are getting into the season of carnival in Calabar and those people only went there to do their carnival and it is okay because Calabar is a friendly place where people have a nice time, drink and have a jolly time.

‘This party has its due process and for those who think they can gather people to have drinks and call it a party congress, that’s mere hallucination; as for anyone who seeks to bring the party into disrepute, we will follow them up with proper and due process.’

Commenting on reports about conflicting letters sent to INEC by Damagum and the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Ologunagba said the Damagum-led NWC is the sole body that decides for the party and not any individual.

‘There are people in our fold who are working with APC; we know that but we are united as a political party and we are strongly focused,’ he added.

He also dismissed the possibilities that someone from any state or group can sabotage the party’s national convention plans, saying the PDP train has reached Ibadan while the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) office at Legacy House in Abuja (which he unveiled on Monday), will serve as a hub for all relevant party activities.

On why the party’s micro-zoning process has not been concluded, Ologunagba said talks were still on in parts of the country.

He said: ‘Out of the need to allow for more consultation and consensus-building, the NCOC few days ago approved an extension of deadline for completion of forms as well as the date for screening of aspirants because we want more people to be involved so that we can have a contention-free national convention in Ibadan.

‘The new dates are to be announced later in line with party guidelines but 15 sub-committees have been appointed for a hitch-free convention and these include the screening sub-committee, venue sub-committee, and other committees for transportation, publicity, accreditation, security and intelligence, entertainment and welfare sub-committee, protocols, medical, accommodation and the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee.

‘We also have a Constitution Amendment and Technical Committee because there is need to look into our constitution again.’

Ologunagba elaborated further on other issues: ‘We have concluded state congresses in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Borno, Niger, Kogi, Adamawa, and in the next few days, the PDP NWC will receive a report on the conduct of those congresses but the NWC has approved the postponement of congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi states.

‘As far as we are concerned, there was no state congress authorised by this party or consistent with its processes and procedures in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi states where the congresses have been postponed.

‘In the case of Cross River and Plateau states, the NWC will consider a Caretaker Committee for Cross River State chapter under the direct supervision of the Southsouth Caretaker Committee, led by Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, until the date for a congress because the tenure of the exco in that state expired on September 18.

‘The Ogidi committee will continue to oversee party affairs in Cross River until we give statutory notice to INEC for the conduct of state congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi states.’

‘In Ekiti State, we have five aspirants who have bought governorship nomination forms with three men – Olumayokun Oluwole Oluyede, Dr. Funso Ayeni and two women who did not need to pay for Nomination Forms because of our party’s effort to boost women’s participation.

‘Their screening will take place on October 2 at the NCOC Conference Hall at Legacy House, Abuja.

‘PDP’s scheduled national convention will be very significant for Nigeria’s democracy; that is why you see APC jittery and it is understandable because we have a history of 16 years’ record of prosperity that was unlike APC’s years of scarcity,’ he said.

A coalition of civil society organisations has applauded the ruling of the National Industrial Court in Abuja halting the planned strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against the Dangote Refinery.

The group, operating under the aegis of the Coalition for the Defence of Economic Rights (CODER), described the interim order as ‘a victory for the rule of law and economic stability’.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting on Monday night and signed by its president, Comrade Babajide Oresanya, CODER urged all parties to respect the decision of the court and allow due process to take its course.

‘We hail the decision of the court under Justice Emmanuel Sublim to stop the strike and preserve the integrity of our economy,’ Oresanya said.

‘The attempt to cripple operations at the Dangote Refinery by cutting off crude oil and gas supply would have inflicted incalculable damage on the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians. The judiciary has once again risen to the occasion by protecting both the rule of law and the national interest.’

The coalition further warned that industrial unions must not act in a manner that undermines national development or the survival of critical infrastructure.

‘While we recognise and respect the constitutional right of workers to organise and press their demands, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. The refinery is not just a private enterprise; it is a strategic national asset with implications for energy security, job creation, and the wider economy. To hold it hostage for union politics is unacceptable,’ the statement read.

Oresanya urged PENGASSAN to retrace its steps and engage in constructive dialogue rather than confrontation.

He also commended the federal government for acting swiftly by meeting with PENGASSAN and regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), while urging stakeholders to abide strictly by the interim order of the court.

‘The court has spoken. Any attempt to flout this order would amount to contempt and could further escalate the situation. Nigerians are watching, and what the country needs at this moment is stability, not conflict. Respect for the judiciary is non-negotiable,’ Oresanya stressed.

The coalition also expressed concern that the controversy surrounding PENGASSAN’s allegations against the refinery could distract from the broader national goal of energy sufficiency.

‘Independent investigations and facts on ground have shown that the Dangote Refinery has been a net creator of jobs, both directly and indirectly. Rather than peddling unsubstantiated allegations, the union should channel energy into ensuring that the refinery delivers optimally and contributes to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products,’ the group noted.

CODER concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain calm and trust in the judicial process.

‘The interim order is only the first step. The substantive matter will be heard on October 13, and we are confident that the court will dispense justice in line with the facts presented. What is most important now is that all parties submit to the authority of the court and allow reason to prevail,’ Oresanya added.

The National Industrial Court had earlier on Monday restrained PENGASSAN from proceeding with its nationwide strike after Dangote Refinery’s counsel, George Ibrahim, filed an ex-parte application.

Justice Sublim ruled that the strike could cause irreparable harm to the economy and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the substantive case is heard.

The National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL), Archdiocese of Ibadan, would host the Jubilee of Hope: Day of Justice events, on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

The event will hold at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The event will begin with the Holy Mass at 10am, which would have His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan as the Chief Celebrant.

President of NACL, Archdiocese of Ibadan, Michael Agbolade and the Chairman, Planning Committee, Williams Tijani, said this year’s edition would be unique in a number of ways. ‘Firstly, it is organised to mark ‘The Jubilee of Hope: Day of Justice’, as declared by His Holiness, Pope Francis.

‘Secondly, it would feature the launch of a booklet titled, ‘Legal Guide for Catholic Faithful’, a practical resource package, compiling insights from the association’s legal clinics on key areas of law that touch on people’s lives in a way that aligns with both civil law and Catholic values.’

They said that the event would serve as an opportunity to reflect on justice as a source of hope in today’s world, and mark the commencement of the new legal year.

The statement said new wigs would be welcomed into the profession, while the St. Thomas More Award would be conferred on some NACL members to recognise their outstanding contributions to justice.

Distinguished guests expected include Catholic Bishops from the Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan; Chairman of the Day, Hon. Justice Peter Ige (rtd), Patron of NACL Ibadan and Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Association of Catholic Lawyers of Nigeria; and the Chief Host of the Day, His Grace, Archbishop Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin.

The keynote address is to be delivered by a Professor of Law at the School of Law and Security Studies, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Prof. Titilayo Aderibigbe and is titled, ‘Is There Hope for Justice in the Present Nigeria?’; and panel discussion including the Pastoral Secretary, Archdiocese of Ibadan; Very Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade; and a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Ayodele Adigun.

The lawyers have expressed appreciation to Archbishop Abegunrin for his unwavering support and fatherly care for the association and the legal profession.

‘With your continued prayers and guidance, we are confident that the Jubilee of Hope: Day of Justice will be a meaningful and impactful occasion, advancing the mission of justice and peace in our Archdiocese and beyond’, the statement added. The Ibadan Branch of NACL is dedicated to promoting justice and upholding the rule of law by bringing together Catholic lawyers from across Nigeria to work towards a just and equitable society.’, the statement said.

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that the senior men national team, Super Eagles, will take on Venezuela and Colombia in the United States of America during the FIFA window for international friendly matches in the month of November 2025.

NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sport, said the Super Eagles will be up against Venezuela on Friday, 14th November 2025 at the Shell Stadium in Houston, Texas, with kick-off billed for 8pm Texas time.

On Tuesday, 18th November 2025, the three-time African champions will confront the Los Cafeteros of Colombia at the Citi Field Stadium in Flushing Meadows, borough of Queens, New York with kick-off billed for 8pm Eastern Time (1am Wednesday, 19th November in Nigeria).

In their last sojourn in the United States of America, in the summer of 2022, the Super Eagles played against Mexico at the AT and T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, losing narrowly 1-2, with Nigeria’s goal coming off a powerful header by Cyriel Dessers. It was the first match in charge for Portuguese Coach José Peseiro.

The Eagles also took on Ecuador’s La Tricolor in New Jersey, losing by the odd goal.

Health care and information technology are often spoken about as if they belong to separate worlds. One is about doctors, hospitals, and patients. The other is about servers, data, and networks. Yet in today’s world, the two cannot survive apart.

From booking appointments to storing records and delivering results, technology is no longer optional; it is the backbone of modern healthcare. In Nigeria, the separation between these two worlds is still stark. Patients continue to wait in long queues for records that could be accessed in seconds. Hospitals often rely on folders stacked high in cabinets, while doctors sometimes lack the information they need because files are misplaced or incomplete.

At the same time, Nigeria has one of the fastest-growing technology sectors in Africa. Millions of people use mobile apps for banking, communication, and shopping. But in healthcare, the use of IT remains limited. The gap is visible in the daily experiences of ordinary Nigerians. A man in Kano managing hypertension may visit three different facilities, each with its own file, none connected to the other.

A mother in Port Harcourt may repeat laboratory tests simply because previous results are not available. A student in Lagos may present a paper report that employers or schools doubt, because there is no easy way to verify it. These are not problems of medicine but of systems, and systems are the domain of information technology. Globally, the connection between IT and health is not new. In the United States, electronic health records are the standard. In India, mobile platforms allow patients to access prescriptions and test results instantly. In Rwanda and Kenya, technology is used to notify patients about results or to support community health workers in the field.

These examples show that when IT is integrated into healthcare, patients benefit, providers save time, and governments gain reliable data for planning. Nigeria has begun to experiment with electronic systems in some hospitals and private clinics. But the adoption remains scattered and uneven. In many cases, systems work in isolation. Records do not travel with the patient. Labs and hospitals often operate separately. Patients themselves rarely have access beyond the paper they are given.

The result is duplication, waste, and frustration. The question is not whether technology belongs in healthcare-it does-but how Nigeria will bridge the gap. The banking sector provides a useful lesson. Two decades ago, banks operated with paper ledgers and long delays. Today, customers check balances and transfer money in seconds using their phones. This leap did not happen because of banking reforms alone; it happened because IT became central to financial services.

Healthcare requires the same urgency. Bridging IT and health is not only about efficiency. It is also about trust. In a system that depends on paper, records can be forged or altered, creating room for doubt. Technology can strengthen credibility by ensuring that records are secure, verifiable, and consistent. Patients deserve confidence that their health information will not disappear with a misplaced folder or be questioned when presented for school, work, or travel. Of course, challenges exist. Power supply, connectivity, and the cost of infrastructure cannot be ignored.

But these are the same barriers Nigeria has overcome in other sectors. The spread of mobile banking, the growth of e-commerce, and the rise of digital payments all prove that where there is demand and commitment, solutions follow. Healthcare should not remain the last frontier of outdated processes.

IT professionals have a role to play here. Doctors and nurses are experts in treatment, but technology requires its own expertise. The bridge between these two worlds must be built by collaboration: health professionals defining needs, and IT experts designing systems that make those needs possible. Neither side can succeed alone. Patients also have a role.

Just as Nigerians embraced mobile banking and messaging apps, they will adapt to new ways of accessing health information. In fact, demand often drives change faster than policy. When people expect faster, safer, and more reliable access, providers will be pressured to respond. Nigeria has transformed before. The introduction of the Bank Verification Number reshaped financial services. The arrival of mobile telephony opened communication to millions.

A similar transformation is possible in healthcare, if IT is placed at the centre rather than the side-lines. Healthcare is not just about hospitals. It is about information accurate, timely, and available when needed. Without technology, information is lost, delayed, or doubted. With technology, it becomes a foundation for better treatment, better planning, and better outcomes. Bridging IT and healthcare is no longer a choice; it is a necessity. The health of Nigerians depends on it.